South Fayette Connect - Fall 2016 - Volume 1, Issue 3

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South Fayette

CO N N E C T

The Official Magazine of South Fayette Township

Free Fall 2016 Volume 1, Issue 3 www.SouthFayettePA.com

Our First Festival

y t i n u m Com Day Recycled Art 11

Super Bowl Star 12

page 13 Let's Dig 7

CO N T E N T S FALL 2016

Departments Manager's Message ................................................................................................... 1 South Fayette Shorts.................................................................................................. 2 How Do I ... Know When to Replace a Smoke Alarm?.............................................. 3 Meet ... Dan Dernosek ............................................................................................... 3 South Fayette Business .............................................................................................. 4–5

On the Cover Amelia Pinami, 10, and sister Evangeline Pinami, 5, of South Fayette Township enjoy a bounce house at the first annual South Fayette Community Day in August.

Photo by Colleen Patel, South Fayette Township resident.

Around the Township ................................................................................................ 6

News Strong Credit, Super Savings ..................................................................................... 3 South Fayette Township gets upgraded credit rating; saves $2.3 million with refinancing.

Fields for Future Generations.................................................................................... 7 South Fayette Township breaks ground on three new athletic fields.

Project Teddy Bear ..................................................................................................... 8 Community donates 1,000 stuffed animals for South Fayette police program.

Features

13

The Call to Serve ......................................................................................................... 9 Volunteers and donations are the backbone of South Fayette's four fire departments.

Make Art, Not Junk .................................................................................................... 11 South Fayette Township reuse artist Martin Thomas Smyczek II turns trash into art.

Golden Football.......................................................................................................... 12 Professional athlete Jonathan Hayes garners South Fayette a Super Bowl trophy.

Inside Volunteers form the backbone of South Fayette Township's four fire departments, including Eric Lazzini, left, and Cory Wonderly.

Photo Features 1 + 1 = Fun: Math Mites ............................................................................................... 10 Our First Festival: South Fayette Community Day ................................................... 13–15 Summer Playground Camp 2016 .............................................................................. 16

Events Holiday Tree Lighting ................................................................................................................ 8 Library Programs ....................................................................................................................... 10 Disabled Sportsmen's Hunt ...................................................................................................... 16 Fall Recreation Activities ........................................................................................................... 17

Sponsor Advertisements Envy Nail Spa - Diamond Sponsor, Disabled Sportsmen's Hunt.............................................. 5 Xtreme Car & Truck / Sunoco - Platinum Sponsor, South Fayette Community Day ................ 13 Infinity Custom Homes - Platinum Sponsor, South Fayette Community Day ......................... 14 The Watson Institute - Platinum Sponsor, South Fayette Community Day............................. 15

9

Manager’s Message Ryan T. Eggleston Ryan displays the summer edition of South Fayette Connect outside the township building.

Fall

“In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October, when the trees are bare to the mild heavens, and the red leaves bestrew the road, and you can feel the breath of winter, morning and evening—no days so calm, so tenderly solemn, and with such a reverent meekness in the air.”

—Alexander Smith, 19th century Scottish poet

means football, pumpkins, apple cider, cornstalks, blue jeans and sweatshirts, hayrides, colorful leaves, costumes and Halloween. Autumn is perhaps the best season to experience in wooded Pennsylvania and in South Fayette Township—just as long as we look past the cold season that comes directly afterward! Nonetheless, here we are, preparing to go trick-ortreating (Oct. 31, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in South Fayette) and cook Thanksgiving dinner (Nov. 24).

In this fall issue of South Fayette Connect, you’ll get a peek at a wide variety of community topics, including the groundbreaking of new athletic fields, the township’s refinancing that saves millions of dollars, our first annual South Fayette Community Day and an award acknowledging a famous hometown athlete who played in the Super Bowl. We also feature our four volunteer fire companies and explain how you can get involved, plus highlight a host of new businesses that are opening in the township.

It truly is an exciting time to call this community home, and we are so delighted you’ve chosen to be part of South Fayette Township: A Community Growing Together.

Should you have any questions, remember we can be reached every day of the year via our website, www. southfayettepa.com; you can report non-emergency concerns by clicking on “Report an Issue.” The South Fayette Township Police Department, plus firefighters and medical responders, are on call around the clock by calling 9-1-1. Office staff is available to speak with you in person or via phone Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (see the back cover for contacts).

Enjoy your fall season; I know I will. Just remember to get out that snow shovel ahead of time and make sure it works because sometimes that white fluffy stuff comes a little earlier than expected!

Fondly,

Ryan Ryan Eggleston, South Fayette Township Manager

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Joseph Horowitz, President Raymond Pitetti, Vice President Jessica Cardillo Lisa Malosh Gwen A. Rodi

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Ryan T. Eggleston

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andrea Iglar

ART DIRECTOR & DESIGNER Andrea Iglar

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTORS Sara Iagnemma Colleen Patel Anshu Rai Robert A. Rudzki

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Much appreciation to the South Fayette Township staff for their contributions. Special thanks to Paula Simmons for design assistance.

ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE South Fayette Connect is a free magazine published and distributed quarterly by South Fayette Township for the benefit of its citizens.

The magazine is a nonprofit source of public information aimed at building a strong sense of community identity and pride. No portion may be reproduced without permission of the editor. © Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.

ADVERTISING South Fayette Connect offers advertisements to businesses and organizations in exchange for sponsorships of certain community events and programs. Please contact the magazine editor for details.

PRINTING Printed by Knepper Press

CONNECT WITH US South Fayette Connect / South Fayette Township www.southfayettepa.com/magazine magazine@sftwp.com / 412-221-8700, ext. 31 515 Millers Run Road / South Fayette, PA 15064 Story suggestions? Business news? Want to contribute?

Contact editor Andrea Iglar.

Scan QR Code with smartphone for instant website access!

South Fayette Connect |Fall 2016 | 1

South Fayette Shorts

third national high jump medal as she competed with more than 7,500 youth athletes from around the country. She had qualified for the Junior Olympics in 200 meters, 80 meter hurdles and high jump by advancing through local meets.

South Fayette police honored for school safety program

Library reopens Mon. Oct. 10 The South Fayette Township Library is set to reopen Mon. Oct. 10 with fresh paint, new carpeting and an updated layout. Library staff members, including circulation clerk Juli Morneweck (above), were reshelving books the last week of September. www.southfayettelibrary.org

The South Fayette Township Police Department has been recognized as having one of the premier School Resource Officer (SRO) programs in the country. Sgt. Jeff Sgro received a Model SRO Agency Award from the National Association of School Resource Officers during a school safety ceremony in Anaheim, California, in July. Sgt. Sgro is assigned to the South Fayette School District campus during the school year.

Boys Scouts' Haunted Cabin set for Oct. 26 – Oct. 29 Boy Scout Troop 248 is hosting its annual Haunted Cabin fundraiser from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tues. Oct. 26 to Sat. Oct. 29 at the troop’s cabin, 248 Clinton Ave., Oakdale 15071. Cost is $5/person or $3/person for approved Scout and youth group visits.

Parking is limited, and overflow parking is available a quarter-block from the cabin.

Refreshments will be available. For group reservations or discounts for Scouts and youth groups, call 724-693-0549.

South Fayette girl achieves sixth place in Junior Olympics South Fayette Middle School student Grace Howard, 11, finished in sixth place at the National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships in Sacramento, California, in July. Grace earned her 2 | www.southfayettepa.com

The South Fayette Township Police Department has received $5,000 to purchase an in-car video camera for recording traffic stops. The donor wishes to remain anonymous. The gift will allow police to equip a fifth patrol vehicle with a camera, and the department plans to equip two additional cars next year.

Hunting map revised The areas where active hunting is permitted on South Fayette Township's Boys Home property have changed, for safety reasons related to new athletic field construction. See the revised hunting map at www.southfayettepa.com/hunting.

Leaf pickups Oct. 29 & Nov. 12 Curbside leaf pickups will be held Saturdays Oct. 29 and Nov. 12 in South Fayette Township. The night before pickup, place yard waste at the curb in biodegradable bags no heavier than 25 pounds each. Yard waste may include leaves, hedge/tree/garden trimmings, brush, lawn edging and grass clippings.

History gets a home The Historical Society of South Fayette Township, founded in 2003, now has a place to store and display items related to local history. Starting Oct. 18, the historical center will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4097 Battle Ridge Road, in space donated by a local resident and business owner. Contact president Emily Williamson-Brady at 412-257-3523 or s.f.history@aol.com for details.

Anonymous donor gives $5,000 for police equipment

New police officer hired Chat with police chief Oct. 13 "Coffee with the Chief" will be held at 7 p.m. Thurs. Oct. 13 at the Sturgeon Volunteer Fire Department hall, 526 Main Street, 15082.

The program gives residents, business owners and community members the opportunity to meet South Fayette Township Police Chief John Phoennik and share comments, ask questions and offer suggestions.

Ambulance service gets grant for heart monitors SouthBridge Emergency Medical Service in South Fayette Township will be able to replace four heart monitors, thanks to a $90,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

SouthBridge also will contribute $9,000 toward the equipment. SouthBridge EMS, headquartered on Hickory Grade Road, is a private nonprofit that provides paramedic, ambulance and other services to South Fayette and the neighboring communities of Bridgeville and Cecil.

Markus Buchanan (middle) was hired this summer as a South Fayette Township police officer. He was sworn in by district judge Maureen McGrawDesmet (left) and congratulated

by Police Chief John Phoennik. A township native, Officer Buchanan graduated from South Fayette High School in 2007 and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, with a history minor, from Edinboro University in 2010. He graduated from the Allegheny County Police Training Academy in 2013 and worked for the police departments in Ohio Township and at the University of Pittsburgh before joining the South Fayette force.

Meet ...

Strong Credit, Super Savings

Dan Dernosek

South Fayette Township gets upgraded credit rating and saves $2.3 million with bond refinancing

By Andrea Iglar South Fayette Township has strong credit, a status that is helping your local government save money.

Credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s has upgraded the rank of South Fayette Township to AA and listed the municipality’s outlook as stable.

Plus, the township recently saved $2.3 million in debt costs by refinancing bonds.

The AA credit rating—just two slots below the top AAA rating—is considered to be investment grade, meaning the township has a “very strong capacity to meet financial commitments,” according to the S&P Global Ratings website.

In 2013, the township’s long-term rating increased two spots from A to AA minus, and this year, the rating was bumped up another step.

South Fayette Township Manager Ryan Eggleston likened the rating to a personal credit score but for local government.

“This is equivalent to having a really strong credit score that just went up a little higher,” Mr. Eggleston said. “It’s great news. It continues to show our dedicated focus on improving the financial stability of the township.”

The rating means it will cost less for the township to borrow money. For example, the municipality will be able to forgo bond insurance and get better rates on its bonds.

The Board of Commissioners in September approved refinancing $6.5 million from its 2009 bonds (the township's only bond debt) to lower interest rates by 3 percentage points, save more than $2.3 million, and pay off the debt four years early, in 2030.

The savings total was 26 percent—the largest percentage of savings ever seen on a bond refund in the Pittsburgh office of financial firm Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, said managing director Alisha Reesh.

Ms. Reesh told the commissioners that the bond savings are “largely due to your very high [credit] rating and the things you’ve done in the township to achieve that very high rating.”

The South Fayette School District is assessed and rated separately.

A credit rating is an opinion about creditworthiness, and it serves as a tool investors can use to help make decisions about purchasing bonds. Local governments often sell bonds to finance major, long-term public projects.

D

an Dernosek is Mr. Public Safety in South Fayette Township. The 19-year veteran of South Fayette Township Public Works spends many hours outside of his job serving as chief of the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department (he started volunteering at age 14) and as the township's Emergency Management Coordinator. If there is a storm, flood or fire, you can be sure Dan will be on the scene.

Occupation: Equipment operator, South Fayette Township Public Works Education: South Fayette High School, 1976

Find the entire township ratings report at www.southfayettepa.com/bondrating.

Family: Wife, Aimee; adult children Derek and Amanda; and dog, Petey

How Do I ... Know When to Replace a Smoke Alarm?

First Job: Assembling bicycles at Zayre department store

Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 9 to Oct. 15, and South Fayette Township’s four volunteer fire departments—Fairview, Oak Ridge, Sturgeon and South Fayette—urge residents to check the age of their smoke alarms and replace them every 10 years. In addition, check alarms monthly by pushing the test button, and replace batteries once a year or when they begin to chirp.

First Vehicle Driven: Fire truck

1 2 3 4

Remove the smoke alarm from the wall or ceiling.

Look at the back of the alarm for the date it was manufactured.

If the alarm is 10 years old or more,

replace it with a new device.

If the alarm is less than 10 years old,

put it back in place.

E Q

nsure updated smoke alarms are placed in every bedroom and on every level of the home,

including the basement. uestions?

Visit www.usfa.fema.gov or www.firepreventionweek.org.

Favorite Sport: College football Favorite TV: NCIS & Local news Last Vacation: Outer Banks, 2008 Best Quality of South Fayette: The farms.

Little known fact about Dan: He operates County Line Stables in South Fayette Township, where he boards horses, makes hay and grows corn for animal feed. The family farm originated with his grandfather, Louis, in the 1940s.

— Andrea Iglar South Fayette Connect |Fall 2016 | 3

South Fayette Business Star City plan still on the horizon

South Fayette Township commissioner Gwen A. Rodi joined Noodles & Company area manager Sean Anderson for a ribbon cutting Sept. 26. Also enjoying the grand opening were restaurant employees, township staff and Emerald VanBuskirk, Executive Director of the South West Communities Chamber of Commerce. Restaurant info: 412-221-6100.

South Fayette Township is in the process of seeking bids to demolish the former Star City Cinemas to facilitate the property's redevelopment.

Demolition bids are due by 10 a.m. Fri. Oct. 14. Township staff hopes to have a bid approved this fall and have the building torn down by the first quarter of 2017.

Horizon Properties Group of Cecil remains in a sales agreement with the township for purchase of the property, which is located at the South Fayette/ Bridgeville interchange of Interstate 79. The developer’s due diligence period currently runs through March 9, 2017.

The township Board of Commissioners has approved plans for the developer to use the 8.5-acre site for a mixed-use commercial project with a 30,000-squarefoot office building, a hotel and 10,000 to 15,000 square feet of restaurants and retail stores.

—Andrea Iglar

Shops @ Newbury Market Two restaurants have opened in the Gateway Shops at Newbury Market, 160 Millers Run Road in South Fayette Township.

Noodles & Company (top) is a fastcasual eatery offering international and American noodle dishes, pasta, soup and salad.

First Watch (below) is a breakfast, brunch and lunch café.

An authorized AT&T retailer also has opened.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries plans to open Oct. 19, followed by YoFresh Yogurt Café, Envy Nail Spa, Supercuts, Dollar Bank, Mt. Lebanon Dermatology PC of South Fayette and King Orthodontics.

First Watch opened in July. It was the first business to open in the Gateway Shops at Newbury Market. From left are restaurant employees Whitney Brinkley, Kevin Freeman and Alies Lefcakis. Info: 412-257-3447.

4 | www.southfayettepa.com

Customers of South Fayette Township business Handmade in America enjoyed shopping for regionally handcrafted gifts, home décor and collectibles during a Fall Open House in early September. Shop owner Beverly Maurhoff has been in business 23 years, including the past three years in South Fayette. The store, located at 3249 Washington Pike in Portman's Country Commons, will hold a Holiday Open House from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thurs. Nov. 17 through Sat. Nov. 19. Details: 412-221-6840.

Diamond Sponsor - Disabled Sportsmen's Hunt - Thank you!

South Fayette Business

hair you ,ll adore

Office building under way in Abele Burns & Scalo Real Estate Services is developing two 80,000-square-foot, 4-story office buildings, called Beacon 1 and Beacon 2, in Abele Business Park in South Fayette Township.

This aerial photo from August shows the development site of the first building, which is expected to open in summer 2017.

The buildings, which will have environmentally friendly features such as solar panels, will sit atop a hill adjacent to the South Fayette/Bridgeville interchange of Interstate 79.

The development is part of a $15 million project that also includes new signs, lighting and landscaping in the existing 323,000-square-foot business park.

Also in South Fayette, Burns & Scalo plans to build up to 75,000 square feet of retail space on 14 acres at the Washington Pike entrance to Bursca Business Park.

South Fayette Township residents Tricia Diloreto, left, and Alisha Desmet opened Adore Hair Studio in the Morgan neighborhood on Aug. 1. The hair salon, 542 Millers Run Road, offers a variety of hair and beauty services for women, men and children. Call 412564-3331 for details and appointments.

Bend the Bridge Do the tree pose and get some repose at Bend the Bridge Yoga in South Fayette Township. Studio owner Erin Grace, a township resident, opened the yoga studio this summer at 3249 Washington Pike in Portman's Country Commons.

Details: 412-564-3203 or www.bendthebridge.yoga.

Shopping center proposed on former church site A 22,860-square-foot shopping plaza is being proposed for the 3-acre site of a former church near the South Fayette interchange of Interstate 79.

South Fayette Commons, at Hickory Grade Road and Route 50/Millers Run Road, would have three buildings containing Washington Financial Bank, Dunkin’ Donuts, a sandwich shop, a casual-dining restaurant and 11,000 square feet of retail space.

The site is located next to the former Star City Cinemas property.

Washington Financial Bank previously had purchased a piece of the Star City property with the intention of building there, but instead the bank has decided to locate within South Fayette Commons.

Township Engineer Mike Benton said the shopping center developer, SoFay Realty Partners, will pay traffic impact fees that could be used to help improve vehicle flow at the bottom of Hickory Grade Road.

The inn crowd The closed Knight’s Inn at the South Fayette interchange of Interstate 79 will be demolished and replaced with a 5-story, 94-room Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott, 111 Hickory Grade Road. The developer, South Fayette Hotel Associates LP/Horizon Properties, also built the adjacent South Fayette Hampton Inn & Suites.

—Text & photos by Andrea Iglar; aerial photo courtesy of Burns & Scalo

South Fayette Connect |Fall 2016 | 5

South Fayette Around the Township The First Lions Friends celebrate 70th birthdays

Below: Members of the Class of 1964 celebrate their 70th birthdays. Left, Patty Deleuze George and Nancy Zollars Scott look through a party balloon forming the zero in 70.

By Andrea Iglar About 30 graduates from the South Fayette High School class of 1964 held a joint 70th birthday celebration in August, along with family and friends.

According to partygoer Carolyn Carlisle Palmer (below, holding the birthday sign), her senior class created the Lions mascot 53 years ago, in fall 1963.

“Our class decided that South Fayette needed to have a real mascot, so at the beginning of football season, the newly created South Fayette Lion made her debut,” she said.

Ms. Palmer and some of her sisters (there were 12 Carlisle siblings) donned the homemade costume, comprised of a big rubber mask and a burlap outfit that her mother fabricated. She recalled the costume being hot and scratchy.

The 1964 class also held the school’s first musical and organized the first class field trip, to New York City, Ms. Palmer said. “Our class was always very creative and eager to do the firsts,” she said.

The group donated money left over from their 70th birthday picnic to the Bridgeville Area Food Bank, which serves South Fayette.

The friends enjoyed celebrating their 70th together and plan to continue meeting every two months, Ms. Palmer said, “to share lunch and support each other through life's ups and downs in this new season of our lives.”

South Fayette centenarian honored At 104 years old, Frances Brisini Cardillo, a South Fayette Township resident for the past 85 years, was crowned Homecoming Festival Queen on the Fourth of July weekend in Lilly, Cambria County, the Johnstown-area borough where she was born on March 3, 1912. Ms. Cardillo is the oldest living member of her 1931 graduating class. She moved to South Fayette when she married Ignatius Cardillo, who was a 35-year transportation and maintenance employee of the South Fayette School District. Ms. Cardillo has three children—David, Conrad and Rita—who graduated from South Fayette High School. She also has eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren and two surviving siblings who are ages 99 and 94.

New work truck South Fayette Township Public Works has purchased a 2016 Ford F-550 Super Duty XL equipped to serve as a snow plow and a dump truck. Cost was $75,000, including equipment.

The latest addition to the Public Works fleet is the department's first brand-new truck since 2009. Other used vehicles have been refurbished by mechanics Mike Cardillo and Skip Bauer (pictured).

The vehicle replaces a 1999 truck, which will be sold at government auction.

—Text & Photo by Andrea Iglar 6 | www.southfayettepa.com

Fields for Future Generations South Fayette Township breaks ground on three athletic fields in new park

By Andrea IglaR

C

arl Helbling looked to the future as he pondered three new athletic fields set to be built in South Fayette Township.

“I’m hoping these fields will lead to generations of memories for our kids,” said Mr. Helbling, South Fayette Soccer Association president and member of the South Fayette Township Parks & Recreation Board.

Township officials, staff, residents and guests celebrated the $2 million sports field project Sept. 20 during a ceremonial groundbreaking on 21 acres of township-owned property along Seminary Avenue, just outside of neighboring Oakdale Borough.

The fields will benefit the 500-child youth soccer program, plus the South Fayette Football Association, South Fayette Lacrosse Association, South Fayette Cheerleading Association and other community members.

Completion is expected in fall 2017.

“We obviously are looking very forward to these new fields,” Mr. Helbling said. “And we are looking forward to partnering with the township in the future as this park continues to grow.”

The new park initially will include the fields; a half-mile of paved, connected walkways; access roads; fencing; and parking.

Future expansion could include features such as pavilions and playgrounds. The park name is to be determined.

Raymond Pitetti, vice president of the township Board of Commissioners, said the park project is part of a balanced approach to development.

Carl Helbling

Township Staff

“Our township is growing, and what I love the most about it is that we’re trying to keep or maintain a balance between the beautiful green spaces and the new fields and things like that, as well as developing our commercial and real estate areas,” he said. “It’s a really nice balance.”

The fields will be built next to permanently preserved farmland, township manager Ryan Eggleston said.

“I’m hoping these fields will lead to generations of memories for our kids."

—Carl Helbling, South Fayette Soccer Association Each of the collegiate-size, grass fields will accommodate multiple purposes, various age groups and differing levels of play.

Two fields will have a potential maximum size of 360 feet by 195 feet, and the third field will measure up to 300 feet by 195 feet.

In recent years, the township has lost access to some playing fields due to commercial development. With the three new fields, the township will have access to 7 or 8 fields.

“I’m very excited about this project,” township Recreation Director Paula Simmons said. “With these fields, all our kids are going to have great opportunities to grow up in sports.”

Raymond Pitetti

South Fayette Connect |Fall 2016 | 7

PROJECT

Community donates 1,000 stuffed animals for South Fayette police program

TEDDY

BEAR

South Fayette Township police collected about 1,000 stuffed animal toys from the community this summer as part of Project Teddy Bear, a program aimed at helping children who are experiencing a crisis.

Officers carry the teddy bears in their patrol vehicles and give them to children who are in need of comfort.

“We’d like to thank everyone who donated,” Police Chief John Phoennik said. “The community really stepped up when we asked for help.”

The donation drive has ended for the year but may occur periodically as needed.

Among the youth groups who donated teddy bears are the South Fayette Baseball 8 and Under B All-Star Team (top left: Chief Phoennik, Pam Lawlor, Mackenzie Bungert, 7, and Cody Bungert, 8) and the South Fayette Township Cheerleaders' second-grade squad (top right), headed by coach Katie Crawley.

South Fayette officers Jason Hensel and Michael Benney (bottom right) unload teddy bear donations from their patrol cars.

—Photos & Text by Andrea Iglar

8 | www.southfayettepa.com

The Call to Serve Volunteers and donations are the backbone of South Fayette's four fire departments

By Andrea Iglar

C

raig Delaney was 16 years old when he became a firefighter with the Sturgeon Volunteer Fire Department in South Fayette Township.

His father was assistant chief, and many family members volunteered, too— brothers, uncles, cousins. Today, he is fire chief, and his younger brother Keith is assistant chief.

“It’s in the family blood,” he said.

Since all South Fayette firefighters are unpaid, volunteers find rewards from sources besides money.

“It’s helping your neighbor,” Chief Delaney said. “Within departments, there is a lot of teamwork and team building. It’s like a second family.”

South Fayette Township is home to four fire departments run by 100 percent volunteers.

When an emergency call comes via 9-11, the Fairview, Oak Ridge, South Fayette and Sturgeon departments respond to their assigned regions of the 21-square-mile township, plus areas they help cover under mutual aid arrangements.

Some volunteers are trained to fight fires, while others help with fundraising, office duties, truck driving and other important activities that don’t necessarily involve entering a burning building.

Chief Delaney said men and women of all ages and abilities can volunteer.

“We have things people can do without ever getting on a fire truck,” he said.

Youth Firefighters

Bill Supan, chief of the Oak Ridge VFD, said it is important to maintain volunteers in every generation because each age group can fill different roles. For example, one founding member in his eighties attends monthly meetings and organizes the annual fund drive, while teens ages 14 to 17 can be Junior Firefighters.

Chief Supan started volunteering at age

The South Fayette Volunteer Fire Department held a fundraiser in September at Noodles & Company in South Fayette Township. From left are volunteers Capt. Ted Wolford, Deputy Chief Eric Lazzini, Cory Wonderly and Michael Katruskaff. Below, Rachel Walker and Steve Lower. (Photos by Andrea Iglar) 14, and his wife, Kelli, also dedicates time to the fire department. All three of their sons have volunteered.

Chief Supan said youth under 18 are not placed in life-threatening situations, and they get training while being part of a structured environment that instills a sense of community service.

"It's a great foundation," he said.

The Community College of Allegheny County offers FireVEST scholarships to students who commit to serving five years as a volunteer firefighter: www.ccac.edu.

Volunteer VS. Donate

The fire departments have seen volunteer numbers decline as community members have become busier with jobs and children, said Joe Janocha, chief of the South Fayette Volunteer Fire Department in the Cuddy neighborhood.

“We don’t get too many people that just moved in,” he said. “I understand because everybody’s got kids, and two people are working and it’s hard.”

For community members who can’t find the time to volunteer, the departments ask for monetary donations to help cover expenses such as training, protective gear, equipment, trucks and facility costs.

Each department must raise at least half the money needed to operate each year, said Dan Dernosek, chief of the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department.

South Fayette Township contributes $60,000 a year to each fire station, plus some insurance costs. To raise the balance needed, each fire station rents out its social hall, plans special fundraisers and holds a yearly fund drive. Most homes and businesses can expect to see fund drive letters in their mailbox in September or October, with a second letter in the spring possible.

The fire departments seek donations from addresses within their district. To find out which fire district you live in, visit www.southfayettepa.com/firemap.

Chief Supan said the longer fire stations can run on volunteer work, the better for the community financially. Paid firefighters would cause “more burden on the community because that’s more taxes they have to pay,” he said.

Allegheny County's 203 volunteer fire companies save the county an estimated $60 million dollars a year, according to the CCAC website.

Either volunteering or donating to your local fire department is welcome because, as Mr. Dernosek said, “We need both.”

Dial 9-1-1 for all fire, police and medical emergencies.

Fire department info: www.southfayettepa.com/fire.

To inquire about volunteer or donation opportunities, please contact your local station: Fairview VFD 3326 Washington Pike www.fairview268.com

South Fayette (Cuddy) VFD 661 Millers Run Road www.southfayettevfd.com

Oak Ridge VFD 1214 Oak Ridge Road www.oakridgevfd.com

Sturgeon VFD 526 Main Street www.sturgeonvfd.org South Fayette Connect |Fall 2016 | 9

FALL@Library

The South Fayette Township Library, 515 Millers Run Road, hosts a variety of programs for children and adults. Register at www.southfayettelibrary.org under “Events” or call the library at 412-257-8660. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. Here are highlights:

Youth

Adult

Trick or Treat at the Library, Mon. Oct. 31, Noon – 5 p.m.

Child-friendly Halloween movies will play on the big screen.

Scrabble Mondays, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Bring a snack and drink and get ready to find a "Q" for that "U"!

It’s All Natural Science Preschoolers: Thursdays Oct. 6, 13 & 20 School-Age Children: Saturdays Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 19 & Dec. 3 Cindy Cox leads this program, designed to enrich the curiosity children have for the natural world. Each session features an age-appropriate natural science lesson with touchable specimens paired with a fun, educational story.Preregistration is required, and each age group is limited to 20 children. The program is free thanks to a grant from the Baughman Foundation.

Make a Fall Centerpiece Tuesday, Nov. 22, 7 p.m.

Learn how to make a fall centerpiece with live flowers to take home just in time for Thanksgiving. Cost is $12. Please register in person at the library to pay for the materials fee.

Science Flix w/ Ms. Judy (Grades 2 – 4) Tues. Nov. 22, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Enjoy fun experiments and games that explore the physics of force and motion.

Movie Matinées, Wednesdays 1:00 p.m., resuming in November Check the library website for movie titles.

Crazy 8’s Math Club Session 2 with Ms. Judy (Grades K – 2) Weds. Oct. 19 – Dec. 14 (except Nov. 23) 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Build stuff, run, jump, make music and make a mess in this totally new kind of math club! Must have completed Sess. 1.

Reflexology and Massage November (Date TBD) Heather from Kneading Massage will explain the health benefits of both reflexology and massage.

1 + 1 = Fun

Preschoolers and their caretakers enjoyed South Fayette Township Library's Math Mites with Ms. Judy in September. The children colored and did other fun activities as an introduction to numbers and math.

Teen Book Club (Grades 6 & up) First Wednesday of each month 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Read, discuss books and writing, socialize and eat snacks. Bring your favorite book to the first session and enjoy popcorn.

The group will decide the future book list.

YA Writing Club (Grades 6 & up) Second Saturday of each month starting Oct. 8, 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

This creative writing club will provide time for tweens and teens to explore various genres such as poetry, mystery, creative nonfiction and graphic novels.

Participants can create new work, as well as share, workshop and revise older pieces.

The South Fayette Township Library reopens Monday, October 10.

10 | www.southfayettepa.com

Clockwise from top: Jen Cloherty and her children Delaney, 9 mos., and Garret, 4; Erin Hudale with children Melania, 3, and Rudy Cruz, 1; Raymond O'Brien, 3; Joey Redlinger, 3; Walter Keller, 4; and Sophia Killen, 3. (Photos by Andrea Iglar)

REDUCE RECYCLE

REUSE

When others see junk, South Fayette artist Martin Thomas Smyczek II envisions a work of art. Left, he

MAKE ART NOT JUNK

H

STORY & PHOTOS BY

ow can you turn something worthless into museum material?

Martin Thomas Smyczek II knows. An artist who lives right here in South Fayette Township, he reuses junk to create his artwork. From broken skis to old candy wrappers, all of Mr. Smyczek’s unconventional materials are things that otherwise would be thrown away.

From paintings on drum heads to lamps made from broken skis and snowboards (pictured below), his artwork has been displayed all around Pittsburgh and beyond.

One mural named “ICARUS” is made entirely of 8,000 flattened bottle caps. That 5-foot by 8-foot piece is in Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Orlando, Florida.

Two of his other pieces, “Red Bird of Paradise” (pictured at right) and “Buttercup,” are made entirely of tear-off sheets from Netflix DVD mailing packages.

He used Port Authority bus tickets to compose portraits of jazz greats John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie.

Mr. Smyczek also has used Children’s Museum brochures, glue bottle pieces, plastic cups, and even Totino’s Pizza bags to create unique

displays "Mixed Perception," a series of discarded PVC boards adorned with acrylic paint; jazz musician portraits made of bus ticket stubs; a painted drum head; and a print of ICARUS, his mural

Sara IAGNEMMA

artwork.

Mr. Smyczek uses his artwork to advocate for the reduction of everyday garbage, finding solutions beyond just recycling. He suggests starting small and finding simple ways to help the environment. Even small actions can add up and lead to something bigger, he said.

“Look at anything in your life,” he said. “Say you go to a Starbucks, or a coffee shop. And say you’re a person who buys coffee every morning. You throw that coffee cup away or recycle it. … You could easily take your own cup there. … Most coffee places, as far as I know, let you fill your own coffee cup.”

There are many ways to reduce landfill waste and make a positive impact at the same time. For example, organizations such as Construction Junction accept all sorts of old furniture and appliances such as benches, cabinets, lights, sinks, and old lumber.

The outlet then sells the “garbage” at a reduced price to artists, universities, and people doing construction projects. Many such organizations will even pick up old parts from your house for free.

If you are not sure what to do with garbage, check the South Fayette Township website for suggestions: www.southfayettepa.com/reuse.

Or, think of a new way to reuse something you normally would discard.

Stick in on the kitchen counter and ponder some ways you might reuse it, Mr. Smyczek recommended.

made of 8,000 flattened bottle caps.

If you’re not feeling creative, “you could just bypass all the creativeness by putting it on your counter and Googling” ways to reuse it, he said.

From using plastic banners as painting canvas to making murals from bottle caps, Mr. Smyczek proves that there are plenty of ways to give unwanted materials new purpose.

For more information about Mr. Smyczek, his artwork and his unconventional materials, visit www.mtastwo.com.

Sara Iagnemma, 15, is a sophomore at South Fayette High School.

South Fayette Connect |Fall 2016 | 11

South Fayette sports star and his alma mater honored with 50th anniversary Super Bowl trophy

By Andrea Iglar

S

Golden Football

outh Fayette’s reputation for developing skilled young football players is built on a history whose bright spots certainly include hometown athlete Jonathan Hayes.

A 1981 graduate of South Fayette High School, former Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl competitor and current tight end coach for the Cincinnati Bengals, Mr. Hayes earlier this year presented South Fayette with a football commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Super Bowl. doesn’t forget where he came from.”

“I thought it was cool for the young Mr. Hayes grew up in the Sturgeon neighborhood of South Fayette Township and people to see you can come from a smaller played for the University of Iowa after high school. He was tight end for the Kansas City place like South Fayette and you can have Chiefs for 9 years before joining the Steelers for three years—a tenure that included success and dream big,” Mr. Hayes said in a competing in Super Bowl 30.

Top Photo: Jon Hayes, center, celebrates the Super phone interview after the ceremony.

Although the Steelers lost the Bowl trophy with South Fayette junior football “Good things can happen for you if you championship game to the Dallas Cowboys, the players and school staff, from left, Noah Plack; stay after it and work hard and truly believe, experience was unforgettable to participants. athletic director Mark Keener; Johnny Beck; Drew and have a passion for what you love to do.”

“You talk about just everything coming to Saxton; and head football coach Joe Rossi.

As part of the nationwide Super Bowl a crescendo in your professional career,” Mr. 50 celebration, the National Football Hayes recalled. “It’s hard to put into words the feeling and emotion, yet you put that aside League, with $1 million from the NFL so you can just focus on that one game. It’s a feeling you’ll never forget.”

Foundation, started the Super Bowl The commemorative Super Bowl football is displayed in a trophy case in the South High School Honor Roll program to Fayette High School gymnasium lobby, along with other memorabilia and information acknowledge schools and communities that about Mr. Hayes—plus his brother, Jay Hayes, who is two years older. Like his brother, have influenced Super Bowl history and Jay is a professional athlete who works as an assistant coach for the contributed to the game.

Cincinnati Bengals.

Mr. Hayes visited Thanks largely to good coaches and mentors in high school, the his hometown in May to Hayes brothers were two of several players to continue with professional deliver the golden football football after South Fayette. to high school sports staff “Even though we were a small school, we played very competitively and students. About 75 and had the opportunity to go on and get a college education and play in students are participating the NFL,” Jon Hayes said. in the district’s football “We all knew each other. Everyone for the most part got along with program this year. each other.

You always rooted for each other."

“It’s awesome that Mr. Hayes was amazed at the growth of the school campus and the Jon took time out of his variety of sports programs offered: “It wasn’t like it is now, where they schedule to come here; it have all these different [sports].

It has increased immensely now compared shows that he cares about to what it used to be.”

South Fayette,” school Some local family members joined Mr. Hayes at the ceremony, athletic director Mark including another older brother, Jeffrey Hayes, and his mother, Florence Keener said.

Jonathan Hayes, left, received the Joy, a South Fayette resident. His father, Jewett, died in 2002.

“It’s a big thing for West Hills Conference All-Star football “My mother and father always encouraged us to reach our full the school, just the history Player of the Year award for the 1980 potential,” Mr. Hayes said. “My brothers and I have had success because of having someone who season. His coach, Gerald Zeman, of the encouragement our parents gave us. I’m very proud to say I’m from played in the Super Bowl right, was named Coach of the Year. South Fayette.” go to school here. He

12 | www.southfayettepa.com

Photos by Anshu Rai

Our First Festival

Center: Asmita Srivastava, a member of the Community Day Committee, enjoys the event with husband Ajay and daughters Aditi, 12, and Anisha, 6.

www.SouthFayettePA.com/CommunityDay

South Fayette Township families enjoyed the first annual South Fayette Community Day on Aug. 27, 2016, in Fairview Park. The sunny, fun-filled event was a great opportunity for residents, organizations and businesses to come together and celebrate our community.

At least 1,500 people enjoyed more than 80 booths hosted by businesses, athletic booster groups and community organizations, and attendees sampled a wide range of food and beverages, an exciting variety of children’s activities and a diversity of live entertainment. All musical acts featured at least one South Fayette resident or graduate.

Activities included a petting zoo, bounce houses, inflatable games, a video game trailer, crafts, a face painter, a caricature artist, a kids’ DJ, a photo booth and more.

The South Fayette Community Day Committee and South Fayette Township sold raffle tickets and raised nearly $1,000 for the South Fayette Community Fund. The money will be used for

park and community projects to enhance the township.

Special thanks to the South Fayette Community Day Committee; South Fayette Township Board of Commissioners; South Fayette School District Transportation Department; South Fayette Township staff, police and public works; and our volunteers, vendors and sponsors.

Mark your calendars: South Fayette Community Day 2017 will be held on the first Saturday after classes start in the South Fayette School District.

Tell us what you think!

We want South Fayette Community Day to be awesome! If you attended or participated in Community Day 2016, please give us your feedback to help us improve and expand the event next year. www.southfayettepa.com/survey

Platinum Sponsor - South Fayette Community Day - Thank you!

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South Fayette Connect |Fall 2016 | 13

South Fayette

South Fayette Community Day offers fun for children, including Sammie Kisner, 11, and Abby Galish, 11 (bottom left) and the Grace siblings: Charlie, 6, and Marlowe, 3 (middle). Below, Clayton Carpenter holds a baby chick at the petting zoo.

(Photos by Colleen Patel.) Top left, a girl meets a calf at the petting zoo (photo by Robert A. Rudzki).

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South Fayette Community Day attendees posted their event photos on the South Fayette Township Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SouthFayetteTownship. Thanks for sharing!

South Fayette Community Day

Platinum Sponsor - South Fayette Community Day - Thank you!

South Fayette Connect |Fall 2016 | 15

Summer Playground Camp 2016 About 40 children celebrated the end of Summer Playground Camp with a water balloon game in Fairview Park. The rules were they could toss the balloons only at their counselors.

South Fayette Township Recreation offers summer camps every year. Find activities for all seasons at www. southfayettepa.com/ recreation.

16 | www.southfayettepa.com

photos by andrea Iglar

Top: The Summer Camp crew and their counselors enjoy the playground at Fairview Park in July. Bottom, from left: Elly Simon, 7, prepares to toss a water balloon; McKenna Uhrin, 7, enjoys the game; and Madison Brandebura, 6, squeezes water onto the head of camp counselor Courtney Blocher, 18.

South Fayette Connect |Fall 2016 | 17

South Fayette Township

Trash & Recycling Curbside Collection = Thursday

www.SouthFayettePA.com

South Fayette Township contracts with Waste Management for curbside collection of garbage and mixed, single-bin recycling. Pickup day is Thursday unless otherwise noted. Garbage is collected weekly. Recycling is collected every 2 weeks. Place bins at the curb the night before.

Oct.

Nov. 6

Trash Collection

3 Trash Collection

13 Trash Collection Recycling

Dec.

Trash Collection Recycling

facebook.com/SouthFayetteTownship twitter.com/SouthFayetteTwp

Township Administration 515 Millers Run Road, South Fayette PA 15064 Phone: 412-221-8700

1 Trash Collection

10

Sign up for “Notify Me” to get news & alerts by email or text

8 Trash Collection Recycling

Ryan Eggleston, Township Manager Peggy Patterson, Executive Assistant, ext. 10 Paula Simmons, Parks & Recreation Director, ext. 17 Mike Benton, Director of Planning & Engineering Gary Hartz, Building Code Official Joe Niedermeyer, Building Inspector Shannen Rusilko, Planning/Engineering/Building Asst., ext. 19 Butch Truitt, Public Works Director, ext. 23 Nick Nickolas, Public Works Superintendent Nancy Degenhardt, Director of Finance, ext. 25

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17

Trash Collection

Trash Collection

27 Trash Collection Recycling

15 Trash Collection

25

FRIDAY (1-day delay due to Thanksgiving) Trash Collection Recycling

Complete township calendar: www.southfayettepa.com/events

22 Trash Collection Recycling

29 Trash Collection

Trash and recycling details: www.southfayettepa.com/recycle Waste Management www.wm.com 1-800-866-4460

Visit the SF Recycling & Trash web page

Andrea Iglar, Community Development Director & Communications Officer, ext. 31

Police Department John Phoennik, Chief of Police Evonne Williams, Police Secretary Emergency/Police Dispatch/Ambulance/Fire: 9-1-1

Community Resources South Fayette Township Library Cheryl Napsha, Library Director 412-257-8660, www.southfayettelibrary.org

South Fayette Area Senior Citizens Association Margie Smith, President, 412-221-3730

South Fayette School District 412-221-4542, www.southfayette.org

Tax Collectors Property Tax: Anne Beck, 412-225-8398, www.annebeck.com Earned Income Tax: Jordan Tax, 412-835-5243, www.jordantax.com

Municipal Authority (Dye Tests & Sanitary Sewers) Jerry Brown, Director, 412-257-5100, www.matsf.net